<p>Hello,</p>
<p>I'm a computer science major, currently at CC. My current GPA is 3.0, but in all of my major related courses, I have a 4.0
I have a question, though: currently, I'm taking Calculus I and my teacher is a grade-A *******. All of the homework assigned in the book is easy as pie; I can do it all perfectly fine. Before the semester even started, I took the time to start learning Calculus on my own through various websites, videos, quizzes, etc and going into the class this semester I was confident as hell. Also, it helped that I've never gotten anything below an A in a math class. I felt confident as anything thinking I was going to absolutely annihilate the test, yet when I was done with the test I seriously wanted to cry. I was so mad. The only saving grace is that out of 5 tests in that class, he drops one of them, so technically I can still get an A in the class. This thread is just made as a 'worst-case' scenario, and I want to know my options.</p>
<p>Anyway, come our first test and I got the lowest grade I have ever gotten in a math test/quiz etc. The problem was that on the test, some of the questions on there I have never seen before: they were not in the various videos and 'tutorials' and Calculus help websites I looked into prior to the class starting. Nor were some of the questions in the book.</p>
<p>My question is this: assuming that it doesn't seem like I'll be passing the class with an A or a B, would it be worth it to drop the course and retake it next semester with someone else? I really don't want to get a C. However, this is the problem: if I do go through with dropping it, I can't start my Physics classes until a semester later than when I was planning on taking it. And before transferring, I wouldn't be able to finish Physics 223 or Math 250 B and C - half of the schools I am applying to want me to finish those classes prior to me transferring. They're on the assist.org websites, so they're pre-reqs. </p>
<p>On to question 2: assuming a 3.0 GPA, what are my chances to the following schools:
UC Santa Cruz
UC Irvine
UC Santa Barbara
UC Davis
UC Merced
UC Riverside
Cal Poly Pomona
CSU Long Beach
CSU Fullerton</p>
<p>Or what would be the minimum GPA needed to get considered into those UCs?</p>
<p>Aside from the lower tier UCs (Merced, UCR), a 3.0 overall UC GPA isn’t very competitive. You should aim for at least a 3.2 for the mid tier UCs (UCSB, UCD, UCI, UCSC) and a 3.5+ for the upper tier (UCSD, UCB, UCLA).</p>
<p>Are you planning on applying this year?</p>
<p>How are you going to finish all your math and physics pre reqs on time?</p>
<p>Obviously I’m going to be applying next fall. </p>
<p>And I know my GPA isn’t very competitive. If I get an A in every class I have left, my highest possible GPA is a 3.39, but I think that a 3.2-3.3 is more reasonable.</p>
<p>In any case, neither of my questions were answered. 
- Is it worth it to drop Calculus I if I’m getting a C, and retake it next semester even if it means not being able to take Physics 223 and Math 250 B and C prior to me transferring? I just really do not want the C, because it would bring down my GPA.
- With a 3.0 GPA, what are my chances to the schools I mentioned?</p>
<p>1) Ultimately, that decision is up to you. A ‘C’ in a 5 unit class can bring down your GPA significantly. If it was me, I would drop it. But that’s me. </p>
<p>2) I answered this. A 3.0 will not get you into the UCs EXCEPT for MAYBE: UCR, and UCM. I’m not sure how selective your major is with the UCs so it varies. Get your GPA up to a 3.2-3.4 and you have a shot at the mid-tiers. Take advantage of the TAG program as well.</p>
<p>It’s a 4 unit class, but still. If worse comes to worse, I want to drop it but it would set me back a semester for TAG because instead of taking Physics 223 and Math 250 B and C next spring, it would be the following fall and that’s not something I want to do. </p>
<p>Also, UCs weren’t the only schools mentioned. I also had San Diego State, Long Beach, Fullerton and Pomona in mind.</p>
<p>Seeing that this is a UC related, forum chances are people will know more about how things work pertaining to UC’s and not as deep a knowledge of the ins and outs of various CSU’s.</p>
<p>You’re just not putting enough effort Into the class. Like other people have said, a 3.00 isn’t competitive at all. It’s nice that you get A’s in math, but that means absolutely nothing when your overall GPA is low. Prerequisites are extremely important. If you’re missing too many, your chances will be even lower. Lower than they already are. Honestly, stick to the class and try harder. It’s calculus after all; not that many people get A’s in those classes. Maybe you over sold ourself on your math abilities? Who knows… I say stick to the class and try harder.</p>
<p>Hello i am a high school senior. i just calculated my UC gpa and it is a 3.2 what UC am i currently at. I feel like i would not make any UC. also i have a 24 ACT. i am going to retake it though</p>
<p>^This forum is for transfer students.</p>
<p>thanks. i am still asking</p>
<p>@jleemd21
Recent high school grad. My stats were basically identical to yours. 3.2 GPA, 1850 SAT. Decent ECs and awards.
I only got into UCR and UCM.</p>
<p>Unless you plan on going there, go to a CC.</p>
<p>@Descartesq was your gpa calculated to UC- like only your 10th and 11th grade? did you apply to other UCs and where did you end up going</p>
<p>@jleemd21
Yes, and I applied to UCD and UCSC also.
I;m obviously attending CC now.</p>
<p>ok ya i might do that too. are you doing a tag program yet? did you decide to stay at home, because my local ccc does not have enough spots for kids to get their ge out of the way.</p>
<p>Resplan, as for the CSUs you mentioned, with a 3.0 probably no chance at SDSU, Pomona or Long Beach. Fairly good chance of acceptance at CSU Fullerton. If you can get to a 3.4 and complete all prerequisites for your major you should be competitive for all of them except for SDSU unless you are applying from their service area.</p>
<p>Calculus is not like Math courses you have taken previously where you memorize the procedure and it works for all problems. Calculus requires you to figure out what you have to do to solve the problem within the confines of the rules of Calculus and this requires imagination and ingenuity with many of the problems you encounter. You should not expect to see a problem you have seen before on a test. Also, in many cases the problem will appear to be of a type you do not recognize at first but can be put in a familiar form with the correct mathematical operations. You must learn this skill because Calculus II (Integration and Infinite Series) is going to require you to be really insightfull compared to Calculus I where a large number of problems can still be solved by simply applying the various differentiation rules.</p>